Using fur in footwear

Fur has been used in numerous ways by fashion designers, adding a touch of class and elegance to clothing and accessories. Usually used for coats, jackets and even lining footwear like boots, the use of fur has always been creative and classy. Using fur in a tasteful manner in fashion will always set you apart from the crowd. We all know that fashion changes with the seasons, and that trends come and go as fast as the tides ebb and flow, so it is not surprising to see fur being used on open-toed footwear such as sandals, stilettos and flip flops.

The first appearance of fur on shoes was the use of mink fur on a stiletto. These mink sandals started the resurgence of fur in fashion, not on the clothes, but on the toes! Though many (PETA)  can argue that the killing of endangered animals (or any other animal for that matter), for the purpose of using their fur for fashion seems like a cruel and barbarian thing to do, it has not stopped designers from creating their fur adorned masterpieces.

Fur sandals are the next trend, and they are here to stay, for a while at least. You are probably thinking how the application of fur on open toed footwear such as sandals have any practical application. Well they do not, but like most things in fashion, it does not have to have any practical application, instead it has to have aesthetic appeal. A strip of mink intertwined between the straps of a high heeled shoe, has lots of it.

Not to be left out, shoes have started to adopt the same fur finish as its open-toed counterparts.

But because mink is a bit on the expensive side, designers have started to incorporate the furs of other animals like sheep and pony. These fur shoes, are an alternative to the full knee boots that are worn during the winter time. While fur may seem to have no use on sandals other than aesthetic appeal, on shoes however, they serve as an insulator, protecting the users feet from the harsh sub zero temperatures of winter.

Another trend that branched of from the new found fur revolution, is winter sandals. Yes, open-toed shoes during the winter. Practical? No, but it is ‘a la mode’ as the fashion forward people would say. Top designers like Givenchy, Gucci and Armani have showed off their fall/winter collections with their models sporting the winter footwear. Though the sandals may have more straps, buckles and what not to try to cover most of the feet, even if you wore socks, it still wont keep the cold out.

A more PETA friendly, cheaper and less extravagant way of following the fashion trend is by buying a pair of sheepskin sandals. Yes, they might seem lowly compared to the mink stiletto made by Giuseppe Zanotti, but its still fur. Famous makers of these sheepskin sandals are bonsai and the infamous Ugg. The sandals or flip flops are lined with the sheepskin, wool side up, and the straps made from sheep leather, these will be the most comfortable pair of sandals you will ever try in your life.

If stepping on sheep skin is not your thing, you should try many of the even cheaper alternatives, I am referring to synthetic fur. Although sheepskin may be a cheaper alternative it still is costly. So if you want to let your inner fashionista shine without going bankrupt, try on a pair of fur flip flops. They cost less, and people would never know the difference.